Baker Labels is producing digital flexible packaging through its BakPac division, following a £2.5m investment in equipment and factory renovations. The company is offering a selection of base materials in silver, white, clear, and various thermally laminated finishes including soft-touch, matt, gloss, linen and leather for digitally printed pouches. Options include zippers, tear notches, euro slots and multi-web pouches are available.

Smurfit Kappa has announced it will invest €24 million to expand its corrugated plant in Rethel, North-East France, demonstrating the company's continued commitment to its French customer market. The new investment will facilitate the consolidation of two existing facilities at that plant and the installation of a new state-of-the-art corrugator and conversion equipment. This investment will result in environmental improvements at the plant including a reduction in CO2 emissions, with a saving of at least 150 tonnes annually. Phase one of the project, including installation of the new corrugator, is due to be completed in the first half of 2022, with full completion of the investment project expected in 2023. The investment will help to modernise and expand the plant, which will include a new 8200m2 building designed specifically for the installation of the new high-tech corrugator.

Total Packaging Papers shipments were 207,700 tons, 3.1 percent lower than February 2017. Bag & Sack shipments were down 8.6 percent year-to-date and Multiwall shipments were down 14.5 percent, while Food Wrapping shipments and Converting shipments were both down less than 1 percent. The operating rate for February increased to 88.5 percent from 84.3 percent in January. Inventories were 175,600 tons, up 2.2 percent since January.